Vi måste kontrollbesikta bilen igen.

must

Breakdown of Vi måste kontrollbesikta bilen igen.

• vi: we
• igen: again
• bilen: the car

Questions & Answers about Vi måste kontrollbesikta bilen igen.

Why is it Vi måste kontrollbesikta and not something like Vi måste att kontrollbesikta?

Because after the modal verb måste (must / have to), Swedish normally uses the bare infinitive of the next verb, with no att.

• Vi måste kontrollbesikta bilen. = We have to get the car inspected.
• Compare with a non-modal construction:
  • Det är viktigt att kontrollbesikta bilen. = It is important to inspect the car.

So after måste, just use the verb in the infinitive directly.

What does kontrollbesikta mean exactly?

Kontrollbesikta is a compound verb that refers to having a vehicle undergo an official inspection, especially a roadworthiness/safety inspection.

It is built from:

• kontroll = check / control
• besikta = inspect

So kontrollbesikta bilen means something like:

• have the car officially inspected
• take the car in for inspection
• get the car tested/checked in the required vehicle inspection

In everyday English, the most natural translation depends on the country, since different countries have different systems for mandatory car inspections.

Why is it bilen and not just bil?